How to Get a Job as an Electrician in 2020
It probably won’t shock you to hear that talented electricians are always in high demand. Our modern lives rely on electricity and all that it allows us to do. Without electricians, society wouldn’t be able to live and work as comfortably. If you want work that will keep your days interesting and indisputable job security, consider becoming an electrician! To make it in the industry, you have to have high attention to detail and strong math skills. Download JobFlare today and prove to employers that you’ve got the skills it takes to succeed!
Electricians are the perfect position for those who don’t want to spend their days behind a desk. Your workday as an electrician depends largely on the type of work you choose to do. Electricians can work either indoors or outdoors, at private residences, factories, businesses, or construction sites. The main responsibilities of electricians are interpreting blueprints, wiring buildings, performing routine maintenance, and troubleshooting electrical issues. They adhere to the National Electric Code to ensure safe electrical practices. Because the job is more hazardous than your standard desk job, most employers believe that the safest electrician is the best electrician.
While the majority (more than 60%) of electricians are contractors, 8% of them are self-employed, so if you’ve got the entrepreneurial spirit, doing electrical work is a great way to start your own business and have complete control over your schedule. Working at a major company can also lead to becoming a team lead or manager for other electricians.
Electritian
US Median Salary
$54,110/year or $26.01/hour
Education Requirements
High School Diploma or GED
Technical School or a hands-on apprenticeship
Most states require electricians to be licensed
You'd be great for this position if...
– You value hard work
– You’re honest
– You’re confident
– You’re responsible
– Safety is important to you
– You like fixing things
You'd be great for this position if...
– You value hard work
– You’re honest
– You’re confident
– You’re responsible
– Safety is important to you
– You like fixing things
Resume Tips for Electricians
To have a successful career as an electrician, there are certain skills that hiring managers know to look for. Take inventory of these important qualities and emphasize them in your resume:
- High attention to detail
- Blueprint reading
- Solid Math Skills (especially algebra)
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Time management
- Endurance (electricians are hands-on and often work long hours, so it’s important to be physically fit for this job!)
- Troubleshooting
- Mechanical aptitude
If you don’t have much on-the-job experience, include things like…
- Any internships, shadowing, or apprenticeships you’ve completed with other electricians
- Past experience working in customer service or construction
- Volunteer activities that involved building, like Habitat for Humanity or REACH
- Any additional strengths, like being fluent in multiple languages or familiarity with common tools and techniques
If you’re still feeling stuck on what skills to list in your resume, check the job description! Hiring managers list the key qualities they’re looking for, so you can score serious points for including them.
Interview Pointers for Electricians
Prior to your interview, be sure to think of examples of personal experience applicable to the role:
- Explain a time when you faced a problem that you didn’t know how to answer. What did you do to find the solution?
- Describe some recent projects you’ve worked on. What would you do differently to improve?
- Talk about the precautions you take to protect yourself and others while onsite.
- Discuss the different electrical systems you’re familiar with. Are you specialized in any specific areas of electrical work? Now’s the time to flaunt that knowledge!
- Talk about your experience working both on a team and solo. What do you feel are the advantages and disadvantages of each?
Be prepared to answer questions like:
- Why do you want to be an electrician? What interests you about the field?
- What do you feel are the most important safety concerns for an electrician?
- What tasks do you find most challenging? How do you plan to improve your skills in this area?
Trouble finding Electrician jobs to apply for? Try searching for these jobs as well!
Lineman • Inside Wireman • Electronics Technician
Famous Former Electricians
Alfred Hitchcock
Movie Director
